Wyoming Workers Who Contract COVID-19 On The Job May Qualify for Workers’ Comp

Workers in Wyoming who believe they contracted COVID-19 while on the job should file a workers’ compensation claim, according to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.

According to FAQs on the state’s website, a claims analyst will determine if the illness qualifies for coverage. If the claim meets the criteria, workers’ comp will cover the illness. If the claim’s denied, workers can still object and request a hearing.

Right now, the coverage period runs from Jan. 1, 2020, to March 31, 2022, unless the Wyoming legislature extends it. Workers can backdate their claim up to one year of testing positive for COVID.

If an employee doesn’t qualify for workers’ comp but missed work because they had to quarantine, they might still be able to receive unemployment benefits. And if your employer covers your lost wages, workers’ comp might still compensate you for your medical expenses.

In South Dakota, workers are not eligible to file for workers’ comp if they believe they contracted COVID-19 while on the job.

Each state has taken a different approach when it comes to COVID-19-related illness and workers’ comp. You can see a relatively comprehensive list of most states’ legislative decisions here.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

This communication is intended to provide general information on legislative COVID-19 relief measures as of the date of this communication and may reference information from reputable sources. Although our firm has made every reasonable effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate, we make no warranties, expressed or implied, on the information provided. As legislative efforts are still ongoing, we expect that there may be additional guidance and clarification from regulators that may modify some of the provisions in this communication. Some of those modifications may be significant. As such, be aware that this is not a comprehensive analysis of the subject matter covered and is not intended to provide specific recommendations to you or your business with respect to the matters addressed.